The following is the unedited transcript of the news release from the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce.

Sales

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that July 2006 sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers\'' sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading-day differences but not for price changes, were $331.7 billion, up 0.45 from the revised June level and were up 12.65 from the July 2005 level.

The June preliminary estimate was revised downward $0.7 billion or 0.25. July sales of durable goods increased 0.15 from last month and were up 10.45 from a year ago. July sales of nondurable goods were up 0.75 from last month, and were up 14.75 from last year. Compared to last month, sales of farm product raw materials grew 5.6 5, and petroleum and petroleum products increased 2.45.

Inventories

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers\'' sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were $382.0 billion at the end of July, up 0.85 from last month and were up 8.85 from a year ago. The June preliminary estimate was revised upward 0.2 billion or 0.15. End-of-month inventories of durable goods increased 0.95 from June and were up 9.25 from last July.

Compared to last month, inventories of metals and minerals, except petroleum, increased 2.75 and electrical and electronic goods and supplies also increased 2.75. End-of-month inventories of nondurable goods grew 0.5 5 from June and were up 8.25 compared to last July. Inventories of farm product raw materials increased 3.75 from last month and inventories of paper and paper products were up 1.45.

Inventories/Sales Ratio

The July inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers\'' sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.15. The July 2005 ratio was 1.19.


Available at:

http://www.census.gov/mwts/www/currentwhl.html